On Jun 6, 2012, at 7:43 PM, Warren Block wrote:

> On Wed, 6 Jun 2012, Vincent Hoffman wrote:
> 
>> On 06/06/2012 22:23, Glen Barber wrote:
>>> On Wed, Jun 06, 2012 at 02:14:46PM -0700, Doug Barton wrote:
>>>> On 06/06/2012 11:59, Dave Hayes wrote:
>>>>> I'm describing more of a use case here, not attempting to specify an
>>>>> implementation. If a user invokes 'make', a window is presented to them
>>>>> with various options. It's probably very common that this is met with an
>>>>> initial reaction of "what the hell do these do?", even from the most
>>>>> seasoned of admins (presuming they are unfamiliar with the software they
>>>>> have been asked to install). I claim it would be an improvement to have
>>>>> that information at the fingertips of the make invoker.
>>>> What manner of providing this information would meet your needs?
>>>> 
>>> IMHO, something informing what "THAT" is in devel/subversion option
>>> MOD_DONTDOTHAT would be nice.  :)
>>> 
>> Not something I had bothered looking up till now as I hadnt wanted to
>> use it but the 2nd hit on google,
>> http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-ports-bugs/2009-April/161673.html
>> describes it quite well.
>> I tend to go with, If i dont know what it is, and its not default, I
>> probably dont need it.
>> Unless it looks interesting, then I google it ;)
>> 
>> Maybe an (optional) new file with a longer descriptions of the make
>> options so as not to crowd the make config dialog?
>> I dont mind looking up compile time options for software I am installing
>> but I can see how having a precis available locally might be handy.
> 
> Here's an idea: if the description is too long to show in the very limited 
> space, cut it off, show a "...", and show the entire description in a two- or 
> three-line text box below the main one.  The >< indicate a highlight here:
> 
>  -----------------------------------------------
>  >[ ] GOOFY     Build with support for the...  <
>   [ ] EXAMPLES  Install the examples
> 
>  -----------------------------------------------
>           <  OK  >          <Cancel>
> 
>   ---------------------------------------------
>   Build with support for the GOOFY framework
>   that provides concurrent whoopsies integrated
>   with a Perubython interpreter, and stuff.
>  -----------------------------------------------
> 
> The description at the bottom is from whatever option is currently 
> highlighted, and changes as the user scrolls through the options.  It would 
> be blank if the entire description could be displayed in the space available 
> above.
> 
> The advantage of this is that it would work with existing ports, and give the 
> ability to use longer descriptions.  The disadvantage is that dialog(1) would 
> probably need modifications.

If we're talking about changing dialog(1), let's make sure there's also an 
"uncheck all"/"check all" option.

I'm looking at you, ghostscript:

        wc -l /var/db/ports/ghostscript9/options
     315 /var/db/ports/ghostscript9/options

Charles

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--
Charles Sprickman
NetEng/SysAdmin
Bway.net - New York's Best Internet www.bway.net
sp...@bway.net - 212.655.9344





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